New Life, New Mate

"What, nothing to say?" Kain sneered. "Didn't you have all that fire a second ago? Or are you finally scared?"

Lena slipped in, voice syrupy sweet. "Eve probably remembered the stories about Cayce."

She gave Kain's sleeve a dainty tug, but her eyes drilled into me. "If she really bonds with him, there might not even be bones left to bury."

Laughter rippled through the crowd. A few young wolves whistled, right on cue.

In my past life, I probably would've lunged at Lena and yanked her hair out. But this time?

Different.

"Who I choose isn't your business," I said, cool and steady—even I was surprised.

Lena's smile twitched. Then she grabbed her chest and started coughing, shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

"Eve, don't be like that," she whispered, eyes glistening. "I was just worried about you... You did take a hunter's silver dagger for Kain, remember?"

I turned to go.

Her gasp hit first.

Then her wine cup slipped—just as it fell, she leaned hard into me.

Next thing I knew, she stumbled back like I'd shoved her—and dropped to the floor with a dramatic thud.

"Eve!" Lena's wail split the air, tears streaking down her face. "Even if you hate me, you can't push me! My leg—it hurts so bad!"

Kain's face darkened. He stepped in front of her like a shield, fury rolling off him. "Really, Eve? That jealous now?"

He scooped her up like she was moon-touched, pain in his eyes. "She's your SISTER!"

Lena was just my cousin, but once she moved in, everyone assumed otherwise.

Behind his shoulder, Lena peeked out—smirking.

I couldn't help it. I laughed. "Didn't even touch her."

"Still lying?" Kain grabbed my wrist. "The whole pack knows you're jealous of Lena. If you hadn't clung to me back then, I wouldn't have even noticed you."

Lena tugged his arm, voice all tremble. "Kain, don't. Eve's probably just... upset. She always thought you'd pick her."

Soft words. Sharper than claws.

Whispers started up—same ones from before. That I was forcing the mate bond, hiding behind my father's name. That I couldn't handle my own "sister."

These rumors stuck like spit from jealous she-wolves—filthy and hard to scrub off.

Kain's rage snapped. He raised his hand—and slapped me across the face, hard.

"You'd better behave. Touch Lena again, and I'll throw you out of Silvermoon Pack myself."